Nottingham Forest’s return to the Premier League has been nothing short of a fairy tale. Once a club synonymous with struggles and near-relegations, they now find themselves firmly in the title race, just some 6 points off.
Here’s a closer look at what has driven their incredible rise.
🧠The Manager - Nuno Espirito Santo (AKA Manager of the Month)🧠:
Nuno Espírito Santo’s arrival at the City Ground marked a turning point for Forest. Appointed in December 2023 after Steve Cooper’s dismissal, Nuno steered what was a sinking Forest Titanic from a relegation storm to safety, or just about.
Then with a full preseason to implement his vision, the Portuguese tactician transformed Forest into the title contender or top four contenders at worst. Known for his defensive organization and counter-attacking philosophy, Nuno’s approach has reinvigorated the team.
His Premier League experience with Wolves, where he had a 48% win rate, Spurs, where he managed a 53% win rate in 17 games, and his title-winning stint with Al-Ittihad in Saudi, where he reached a career-high 70% win rate, demonstrate his pedigree.
“There is no way to play in the Premier League if you are not solid, compact, and strong in defense,” Nuno remarked, and his team has embraced this ethos wholeheartedly as the stats below would show.
🔢The Stats Behind Nottingham's Great EPL🔢:
Forest’s transformation this season has been built on solid defensive foundations and a knack for staying ahead in games. They have opened the scoring in 17 of their 21 matches—a league-best statistic—and kept an impressive nine clean sheets, more than any other Premier League team.
Their defence is among the tightest in the league, conceding just 20 goals, only bettered by Arsenal, 19. This defensive sturdiness has been supported by their ability to limit opponents to low-quality chances, boasting the best PPDA (passes allowed per defensive action) for two consecutive seasons.
Away from home, Forest has been formidable, accumulating 23 points on the road—the second-highest tally in the league, only behind Liverpool, 24. Their ability to stay compact and resilient under pressure has been the cornerstone of their success.
💫The Stars Behind Forest’s Amazing Season💫:
🧤Matz Sels: A Wall Between the Sticks🧤:
Matz Sels’ arrival from Strasbourg for £5 million in February last year has proven to be one of the shrewdest pieces of business in the league. With a save percentage of 75.3% (the best among goalkeepers with over 500 minutes played), Sels has been pivotal in Forest’s defensive success.
Facing 259 shots this season, Sels has remained unflappable, leading Forest’s backline to the joint-second-best defensive record in the league. His consistency and ability to pull off crucial saves in tight games have earned him plaudits as one of the best keepers in the Premier League this season.
⚽Chris Wood: The Relentless Target Man⚽:
At the other end of the pitch, Chris Wood has been the spearhead of Forest’s attack. Since Nuno’s arrival, the New Zealand international has scored 21 non-penalty goals, second only to Erling Haaland.
His 13 league goals this season make him one of the competition’s top scorers. Wood’s ability to dominate aerial duels, hold up play, and convert key chances has been invaluable. His goals often come at critical moments, underlining his importance to the team.
The partnership between Wood and creative talents like Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga has added a clinical edge to Forest’s counter-attacks.
🔒Defensive Steel: Milenkovic, Murillo & Co🔒:
Forest’s defensive unit, led by Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, has been another standout feature. Alongside summer signings Milenkovic and Morato, Murillo has become a linchpin in Forest’s backline.
Together, this trio has turned Forest into a defensive powerhouse, combining physicality, tactical awareness, and composure under pressure.
Complementing this backline is the tireless work of full-backs Ola Aina and Neco Williams, who provide width and defensive solidity. The defensive unit’s collective cost of just over £50 million highlights the efficiency of Forest’s recruitment strategy.
⚡The EPL’s Counter-Attack Kings⚡?
While Forest has been labelled the Premier League’s best counter-attacking team, their stats tell a different story. With 33 fast breaks leading to 29 shots and only four goals, they’ve struggled with conversions.
However, the pace and creativity of Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the flanks, combined with Gibbs-White’s vision, ensure that Forest remains a constant threat on the break.
Their low possession numbers (39.4%, the lowest in the league) and minimal passing sequences into the final third belie their effectiveness. Forest’s strength lies in their ability to defend deep and spring forward with precision, catching opponents off guard.
💭A Leicester-Style Dream?🤔
Nottingham Forest returned to the Premier League in 2022, 23 years after their relegation in 1999 and embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive financed by their Greek owner, Evangelos Marinakis who bought the club in 2017.
The club brought in 22 players during the summer transfer window of 2022, followed by seven more in January. Although the pace of signings has eased in subsequent windows, Forest has added a total of 56 players, including loan deals, since their promotion just over two years ago.
Comparisons to Leicester City’s miraculous 2016 title win are inevitable. Forest’s rise from relegation battlers to title contenders echoes the Foxes’ story. Like Leicester, Forest have defied pre-season expectations and betting odds to climb to third in the table.
With 40 points from their first 20 games, Forest are on track to achieve something remarkable. History suggests that teams with this tally rarely finish outside the top four. While Opta gives them a slim chance of winning the title, Nuno and his squad have proven that anything is possible.
🔚Conclusion🔚: A Resurgence to Remember;
Nottingham Forest’s resurgence under Nuno Espírito Santo is a testament to smart management, effective recruitment, and a united squad. From Sels’ heroics in goal to Wood’s clinical finishing, every player has contributed to their success.
While the road ahead is challenging, Forest has already captured the imagination of football fans worldwide. Whether they emulate Leicester’s feat or secure a Champions League spot, this season will be remembered as the year Forest re-established themselves among England’s elite.
You can check out Nottingham Forest games on MSport.
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